While reports suggest that John Tavares and his representation are speaking to five teams in Los Angeles, there is some confusion of which teams Tavares’ camp is speaking to. It was reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars are three teams that are definitely meeting with him, while other teams such as Vegas and Tampa Bay have been suggested as possibilities.
The Maple Leafs have been interested in signing Tavares for a long time, years in fact. However, with the state of their salary cap in the coming years with contracts of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander on the books, there are a lot of questions whether the Maple Leafs are really true candidates to bring Tavares on board, especially after the team splurged a season ago when they pried Patrick Marleau away from San Jose.
The Athletic’s James Mirtle (subscription required) writes that trying to add a contract that at the moment is linked at $11MM per year for Tavares (possibly $12MM) might be challenging, but not totally impossible. Unlike two years ago, when they tried to sign Steven Stamkos when they were a struggling franchise, things are much different. For one, Tavares gets to come home, he can immediate play for a top team which has a legitimate chance to win a Stanley Cup, and lots of cap space in the first year of a contract, which is where the discussion ends.
Mirtle suggests one rumor that has been going around for week is to offer Tavares a one-year max deal, which would be worth $15.9MM. Then the team could attempt to lock him up to an eight-year deal after that. However, that could also be construed as cap circumvention as well as dangerous if Tavares gets injured in that first year. Another offer Toronto could add to the package is the captaincy, but that would also be an issue considering that Matthews has been in line for that role.
- David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period confirms that the San Jose Sharks were the second team to speak with Tavares and his representatives. He writes that the Sharks are all-in on Tavares and the entire organization is on board to bring Tavares in. With more than $18MM in cap space, the Sharks have the money even after locking up winger Evander Kane to a seven-year, $49MM extension last month. With their defense and goaltending, alongside Tavares, Kane, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski as well as a bunch of talented younger players that are ready to break out, the Sharks would look like a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
- Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports writes that while there is no word yet, the scribe gets the sense that the Boston Bruins haven’t been told yet whether they are one of the five teams that Tavares will meet with, but Boston definitely wants a meeting with the center. Boston has almost $12MM of cap space available and a team that is full of both veterans and young stars in which the addition of Tavares could take them to that Stanley Cup level as well.
Tavares in Boston would be incredible and make the Bruins true Stanley Cup contenders, yearly. I hope Sweeney does whatever it takes to lock him up. Give Tavares the money necessary ($12 -$13 MM) and deal either of Backes or Krejchi (Idk how to spell his name. If packaging Backes with picks is necessary than do it
Couldn’t agree more. Backes and Kjecki can leave. Get Tavares at any cost. He’s a stud.
I think Tavares resigns with NYI but… if the Bruins signed Tavares MY GOD. Chara coming off the books, trade Backes/Krejci to free up cap space, sign McAvoy and the Bruins could form a legitimate dynasty. Again, probably won’t happen but just the fact that there is a possibility should give Bs fans semis.
Now that I’m thinking about this, what do their lines with him look like? I guess Bergeron becomes a 2nd liner, and you’d think they wouldn’t split up him and Marchand. So are we looking at moving Krejci to the wing and having him play with Tavares and Pastrnak? Or do you trade Krejci, and use some combination of Debrusk, Bjork, and Donato? And would Pastrnak stay with Bergy and Marchand or play with Tavares?
SJ looks more and more attractive the more I think about them as suitors for Tavares
I expect Tavares to resign with the Isles. Chances are 70/30 IMO. However if he leaves I would be shocked if he went to the Leafs. For one, as mentioned they have a lot of players whose contracts need to be negotiated in the near future so their window may be shorter than anticipated. Two, there would be a tremendous amount of pressure on JT to bring them a cup soon. Three, he wants to go to a winner. The Leafs last won a cup when? Exactly. Plus there is no guarantee they would get by Pittsburgh, the Caps, Tampa or even Boston. Four, he is a low key guy and Toronto (from a hockey standpoint) is not a low key city. Finally, are you telling Austin Matthews to move to the 2nd line? Are you going to have a 11 or 12M 2nd line center? Ego’s do count.
Now the list of other teams seems fluid. I can’t see him going to Dallas.
Boston is a possibility but if winning is what he desires I am not sure they are the best option. In fact staying in the east isn’t the best option to win. They have talent but I think he goes elsewhere.
This is where it gets interesting. I think he would go to San Jose. Low key coach that has won. Talented team. Lower key city than say LA, Anaheim or Vegas. Building that rocks. Very similar to Coliseum but bigger and nicer. They have opened cap space for him. I could definitely see this happening.
Vegas. I am not sold he would go there. McPhee knows JT from time with Isles but he wasn’t there long. I believe Vegas caught lighning in a bottle. A team of castoffs that gelled and played well. I think McPhee planned on trading some of these guys until they started winning which altered plans. I still think that is possible. Plus Vegas is a transient town to live in. People constantly moving in and out. Not a great family city and he is getting married this Summer.
Nashville. Very talented team. Happening city but not too big. His friend Subban is on team. They are my darkhorse.
Tampa. Friends with Stamkos. Definitely talented. Great weather. No state income tax. Tough to imagine him fitting under the cap and is he going to go as a 2nd line player? Doubtful.